Smith graduates Basic Training

U.S. Army PV2 Shawn Andrew Smith recently graduated from Army Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

During the 10 weeks of training, Smith learned basic soldier skills including first aid, land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship, drill and ceremony and basic tactical skills.

New Soldiers are required to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, complete an obstacle course, qualify with their individual weapon and enter the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) chamber to gain confidence in their NBC protective gear. They must also complete a series of tactical foot marches and several tactical field training exercises as a part of their training.

PV2 Smith will now attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Gordon, Georgia to become qualified in Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 25U, Signal Support Systems Specialist. As a 25U, Smith will learn to maintain radio and data distribution systems, perform signal support functions and technical assistance for computer systems, provide technical assistance and training for local area networks and conduct maintenance for equipment, terminal devices and assigned vehicles and power generators.

Upon graduation, PV2 Smith will be assigned to the 229th Chemical Company, based out of Rocky Mount, Virginia.

PV2 Smith, a 2018 graduate of Pulaski County High School, is the son of Christina Smith of Pulaski and Andrew Smith of West Virginia.